Review of Devil’s Porridge (The Kirsty Campbell Mysteries Book 2) by Chris Longmuir.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars by Iris Chacon.

If you have not read book 1 of The Kirsty Campbell Mysteries, don’t let that keep you from enjoying Book 2, Devil’s Porridge. The second book stands on its own, but you’ll want to read another mystery by this author as soon as you finish this one, and Book 1 would be as fine a choice as any.

The “devil’s porridge” of the title refers to a colloquial name given to the highly explosive gruel-like substance made in munitions factories during World War I in Great Britain. Young women were drafted into service to operate explosives factories on the home front while the young men were away at war. The women lived in closely supervised dormitories and worked shifts day and night, usually mixing nitroglycerin compounds with their hands, in large barrels.

Kirsty Campbell is one of first policewomen in Britain at a time when women had yet to get the vote and were prohibited from holding jobs in many fields. Although many of the male police executives either ignore or insult Kirsty, she is a clever and resourceful detective and an excellent law enforcement officer.

Devil’s Porridge is deeply researched, and the author weaves a stunning three-dimensional picture of life, work, and crime in Britain during the Great War. You will be drawn completely into the scene as Policewoman Campbell pursues a murderer/saboteur while carrying out her assignment to guard the munitions factory and the female “munitionettes.”

History buffs, WWI aficionados, mystery lovers, and Anglophiles will delight in the story and in the author’s skills. You won’t want to put it down.

Recommended for all ages, from teens to senior citizens. Contains no offensive material.

Buy the book on AMAZON.

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